Rejecting the traditional values of political theory, Machiavelli drew upon his own experiences of office in the turbulent Florentine republic to write his celebrated treatise on statecraft. While Machiavelli was only one of the many Florentine "prophets of force," he differed from the ruling elite in recognizing the complexity and fluidity of political life.

Author Bio

Machiavelli, Niccolo :

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) was a Florentine statesman who was later forced out of public life. He then devoted himself to studying and writing political philosophy, history, fiction, and drama.

Bull, George (Translator) :

George Bull, author and journalist, has translated six volumes for Penguin Classics.

Chronology Map Introduction Translator's Note Selected Books Machiavelli's Principal Works Letter to the Magnificent Lorenzo de Medici I How many kinds of principality there are and the ways in which they are acquired II Hereditary principalities III Composite principalities IV Why the kingdom of Darius conquered by Alexander did not rebel against his successors after his death V How cities or principalities which lived under their own laws should be administered after being conquered VI New principalities acquired by one's own arms and prowess VII New principalities acquired with the help of fortune and foreign arms VIII Those who come to power by crime IX The constitutional principality X How the strength of every principality should be measured XI Ecclesiastical principalities XII Military organization and mercenary troops XIII Auxiliary, composite, and native troops XIV How a prince should organize his militia XV The things for which men, and especially princes, are praised or blamed XVI Generosity and parsimony XVII Cruelty and compassion; and whether it is better to be loved than feared, or the reverse XVIII How princes should honour their word XIX The need to avoid contempt and hatred XX Whether fortresses and many of the other present-day expedients to which princes have recourse are useful or not XXI How a prince must act to win honour XXII A prince's personal staff XXIII How flatterers must be shunned XXIV Why the Italian princes have lost their states XXV How far human affairs are governed by fortune, and how fortune can be opposed XXVI Exhortation to liberate Italy from the barbarians Glossary of Proper Names Notes

Rejecting the traditional values of political theory, Machiavelli drew upon his own experiences of office in the turbulent Florentine republic to write his celebrated treatise on statecraft. While Machiavelli was only one of the many Florentine "prophets of force," he differed from the ruling elite in recognizing the complexity and fluidity of political life.

Author Bio

Machiavelli, Niccolo :

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) was a Florentine statesman who was later forced out of public life. He then devoted himself to studying and writing political philosophy, history, fiction, and drama.

Bull, George (Translator) :

George Bull, author and journalist, has translated six volumes for Penguin Classics.

Table of Contents

Chronology Map Introduction Translator's Note Selected Books Machiavelli's Principal Works Letter to the Magnificent Lorenzo de Medici I How many kinds of principality there are and the ways in which they are acquired II Hereditary principalities III Composite principalities IV Why the kingdom of Darius conquered by Alexander did not rebel against his successors after his death V How cities or principalities which lived under their own laws should be administered after being conquered VI New principalities acquired by one's own arms and prowess VII New principalities acquired with the help of fortune and foreign arms VIII Those who come to power by crime IX The constitutional principality X How the strength of every principality should be measured XI Ecclesiastical principalities XII Military organization and mercenary troops XIII Auxiliary, composite, and native troops XIV How a prince should organize his militia XV The things for which men, and especially princes, are praised or blamed XVI Generosity and parsimony XVII Cruelty and compassion; and whether it is better to be loved than feared, or the reverse XVIII How princes should honour their word XIX The need to avoid contempt and hatred XX Whether fortresses and many of the other present-day expedients to which princes have recourse are useful or not XXI How a prince must act to win honour XXII A prince's personal staff XXIII How flatterers must be shunned XXIV Why the Italian princes have lost their states XXV How far human affairs are governed by fortune, and how fortune can be opposed XXVI Exhortation to liberate Italy from the barbarians Glossary of Proper Names Notes